USGS and Audubon Formalize Partnership in Bird Data Collaboration

In 2019, a hallmark study was published documenting the loss of nearly 30% of the birds in North America since 1970. This study, colloquially known as the 3 Billion Birds study, is largely based on the two longest-running and most complete community science-based bird monitoring datasets in the world—the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and the Christmas Bird Count (CBC)—administered by the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center (USGS EESC) and the National Audubon Society, respectively. There are few datasets in the world that allow for such a robust estimation of population trends at the scale of a continent across a period of over 50 years. Notably, Audubon’s CBC just celebrated 125 years and the USGS’s BBS will soon celebrate 60. Both programs are invaluable sources of information that allow us to track the population changes of hundreds of bird species, helping us to understand how to keep common birds common, bend the bird curve towards recovery, and aid the growing $107 billion birdwatching industry in the U.S.

The USGS EESC also manages the Bird Banding Lab (BBL), a 105-year-old program that archives, manages and analyzes bird banding data. Unique from count surveys, bird banding data can be used to estimate survival and reproductive success, and track movements of birds. Bird banding was the first method for tracking individual birds. Now, Audubon and USGS have collaborated on an effort to include millions of band encounter records on the Bird Migration Explorer. This unique tool reveals connections between places that migratory birds depend on across the Western Hemisphere, showing millions of bird enthusiasts and bird curious where their local migratory birds travel.  

Today, the USGS EESC and Audubon formally agreed to coordinate efforts around these two important datasets and more with the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The agreement signifies a strengthened operational relationship aimed at promoting research and information exchange related to the conservation of birds. The MOU underscores our shared commitment to recovering the populations of birds across the Americas through both organizations’ efforts.  

“We know that progress requires teamwork,” said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer of the National Audubon Society. “By building strong relationships with partners and communities across the Americas, we can accomplish more together than any one organization could achieve alone.” 

“We are always stronger when working with our strategic partners,” said Thomas O’Connell, director of the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center. “It allows us to leverage each other’s strengths, share resources, and coordinate efforts toward the collective goal of ensuring that bird populations of North America are not just surviving, but thriving.”

This MOU serves as a foundation for future collaborations, creating a structure for joint efforts across monitoring, quantitative analysis, decision science, community science, remote sensing, and animal health. By leveraging the expertise of both organizations, we aim to enhance our conservation strategies and ensure effective data utilization. The breadth and depth of the knowledge available through USGS will significantly benefit Audubon’s initiatives, particularly in areas like animal health, where informed decisions can lead to impactful outcomes.  

Together, we can make strides toward conserving our avian populations and ensuring a thriving environment for future generations.